We’ve previously looked at the many films shot in Liverpool, where the city itself often feels like one of the main characters. Today at liverpool-trend.com, we’re zooming in on the specific city locations that have become popular with filmmakers. Let’s explore some interesting facts and discover which spots are the most sought-after.
Interesting Facts
Liverpool’s architecture, with its diverse cultural landmarks, has been a major factor in its selection as a filming location, reports the BBC. In the UK, the city is the second most popular filming destination after London. Liverpool’s cinematic history dates back to the Lumière brothers, who created their “Liverpool Scenes” film project way back in 1896.
In modern times, credit must be given to the Liverpool Film Office, which provides free services to filmmakers. This support greatly simplifies the production of films and videos, such as Taylor Swift’s music video for “I Can See You”.
Audiences often believe what they see on screen. A scene might be set in Chicago, Dublin, Paris, or Moscow, but in reality, you could be looking at a cleverly disguised Liverpool. The city is perfectly suited for this purpose. For example, Merseyside’s city centre can easily portray the Victorian era, historic buildings, concert halls, or the fire escapes of New York’s back alleys. Filming here is both straightforward and cost-effective.
Of course, certain locations are particularly popular. The city’s courtrooms and docks frequently appear on screen. Among the most famous landmarks, St George’s Hall stands out.
Conveniently, all of Liverpool’s unique sites are located within a small area. Outside of London, our city boasts the highest number of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. The beaches, parks, and rural landscapes surrounding Liverpool are also in high demand among cinematographers. The city’s grand architecture allows it to stand in not only for London but also for cities like Washington, Berlin, or Madrid.
Examples of Locations in Films
Let’s now look at specific examples of locations used in films shot in Liverpool.
In the Name of The Father (1993)
In this film starring Daniel Day-Lewis, audiences see courtroom and prison scenes. The interiors of St George’s Hall were used to recreate these settings.
The exterior of the World Museum Liverpool was used for the scene depicting the main character’s release from prison, while Canning Street provided the location for a “London” squat (a derelict building occupied without the owner’s permission).
The Parole Officer (2001)
This film starring Steve Coogan also featured Liverpool. A scene where the main character breaks into a bank vault was filmed in the former Bank of England building on Castle Street.
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
In this film, the renowned actor Sean Connery finds himself on a snowy Moscow street. To create this setting, the filmmakers used William Brown Street in Liverpool! The grandeur of the neoclassical buildings there was a perfect match. And since Russia is associated with cold weather, a vast amount of artificial snow was brought in to complete the effect.
Other Examples
Liverpool has been the backdrop for television shows as well as feature films. Some, like “The 51st State” and “Brookside,” were almost entirely filmed here. Others, such as “Across the Universe,” used the city for just a few scenes.
Incidentally, “The 51st State” is an interesting comedy centred on the theme of drugs. Filming took place at the India Buildings on Water Street and at Liverpool’s docks, as well as several other locations in and around the city. The film “Across the Universe” (2007) is a love story built around several songs by The Beatles.
Top 5 Most Popular Liverpool Filming Locations
Now, let’s turn to the most popular locations and examples of films where you can see them.
1. Stanley Dock. This location is a true record-breaker. In the series “Peaky Blinders,” it stood in for Birmingham, where the main story is set. The famous Captain America (in 2011’s “The First Avenger”) and detective Sherlock Holmes (in the 2009 film) have also made appearances here.
2. The Birkenhead (Queensway) Tunnel. It appears, for example, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One” (2010). Fleeing from their enemies, the main characters navigate the tunnel in a motorcycle and sidecar. The location was later used for a high-speed chase scene in “Fast & Furious 6.”
3. Martins Bank Building. The opening scene of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was filmed in the banking hall of the derelict Martins Bank on Water Street, which had been closed for several years. This location was also used for the Sky 1 series “Bulletproof,” starring Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters.
4. Wellington Square. In the film “The Batman,” this area was used to create the so-called “Gotham Square.”
5. Royal Liver Building. In the same Matt Reeves film about the famous superhero, this landmark became the Gotham City Police Department. Batman is seen trying to escape from the building before he jumps from its roof and soars through the streets of Gotham.
As we can see, Liverpool gladly opens its doors to the creators of cinematic masterpieces, and directors are making the most of its potential.
